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OUTSIDE WALLA WALLA

Activities

Outdoor Sculpture Walk, Whitman College (Photo Credit: Steve Dildine)

By wonderboy

Activities

Welcome to Outside Walla Walla

Imagine a place where the landscape shifts, in the turn of a corner, from rich agricultural valleys—shaped by sediments left behind by ancient cataclysmic floods—to dense forests perched atop ridges carved by hundreds of creeks.

Imagine a place that truly embodies all four seasons, where crisp, white winters give way to spring hills draped in wildflowers, where iconic amber waves of grain mature under summer sun before yielding to the vibrant colors of fall.

Imagine a place where you can enjoy a locally sourced breakfast, gather picnic ingredients at the farmers market, raft a Wild and Scenic River, and still return in time to unwind with friends at the annual Chamber Music Festival downtown.

That place is Walla Walla, Washington—and we can’t wait to share it with you.

Outside Walla Walla was created with one goal in mind: to showcase the outdoor recreation opportunities of the Walla Walla valley and northern Blue Mountain region.

With more than a million acres of National Forest—spanning three wilderness areas across southeast Washington and northeast Oregon—the region offers endless possibilities to hike, bike, camp, fish, raft, and explore.

From families with small children to seasoned thrill seekers, there truly is something for everyone. Head north, head east—no matter the direction, the terrain surrounding Walla Walla is distinct and compelling, making it an incredible place to recreate.

Outside Walla Walla exists for the adventurous: a collection of tales from the wild and inspiration to spark your own outdoor story. No experience required. If this is your first time pedaling a trail or casting into a river, welcome—prepare to be amazed.

If you fell in love the first time you saw the sun rise over a field of balsamroot, welcome back—there are countless new memories waiting. And if you’ve hiked all 715 miles of trails in the Umatilla National Forest, fantastic—we hope to cross paths out there someday.

Welcome to Outside Walla Walla!

Thanks to a group of local, engaged elementary students, Palouse Falls is the official state waterfall of Washington. Dropping roughly 180 feet, Palouse Falls is a must see attraction. Yet another geologically interesting location, it is truly an impressive feature of the landscape. The park offers multiple views of the falls and many interpretive signs to enrich the experience.

Join us outside!

Join our growing list of outdoor enthusiasts on Walla Walla and tell us what activities you find most interesting. We’ll keep you updated on our latest adventures!

Outdoor recreation in the Blue Mountains

Hundreds of miles of trails; over a thousand miles of wild, uninterrupted rivers; soft, dry, waist-deep snow; and a few mountain lakes await locals and visitors alike. There’s a wide variety of activities for every season.

Outside Walla Walla focuses on providing firsthand information about the northern Blue Mountains region and all the opportunities available for hiking, biking, camping, fishing, water sports, snow sports, and more.

Hopefully, along the way, we can all learn more about our natural world and ways to enjoy the wild, while keeping it that way.

We hope you’ll take some time to explore our site. As our catalog of activities grows, we trust you’ll find something new and inspiring with every click.

Oregon Butte Lookout (Photo Credit: Steve Dildine)

Atop the highest point in southeast Washington at Oregon Butte Lookout, take in panoramic views that includes the Wallowa Mountains of Oregon, Seven Devils of the Idaho Rockies, and maybe even a volcano to the west.

Local Outfitters, Groups & Organizations Support Adventure

The Walla Walla Valley is an amazing place to raise a family, retire, or lay down roots in general; after all, we have that magnificent cataclysmic soil.

Even for locals, the area offers countless adventure firsts. After two decades in the valley, we admit we feel like we haven’t even begun to explore all it has to offer.

Outside Walla Walla is for everyone. It’s a place for locals who are constantly asking themselves, “Where can I go hiking around here?” or “Can I bike in a wilderness area?” (no, by the way) to discover all our local treasures. It’s also a place for tourists to spend a few extra days.

Local outfitters offer everything from bike rentals (on and off road) to raft rentals. Some offer classes to get you started or provide guided trips. These folks will also likely mention local clubs or groups if interested in a more community experience

Take advantage of Whitman College’s outdoor program, offering supplies and equipment for every possible adventure—they rent to the public.

Lyons Ferry State Park (Photo Credit: Steve Dildine)

Rent a kayak or paddleboard to get out on the river. Adventure Fit is a local outfitter that can facilitate all sorts of water fun. Follow our Events page for organized events, including those hosted by Adventure Fit as well as other local outfitters.

Visit Walla Walla

Wine, check. Wheat, check. Onions, check. Hiking, biking, fishing, rafting, who knew? Walla Walla is an exceptional home base to explore vast arrays of terrain and engage in a whole host of outdoor activities. Agriculture definitely put us on the map, but the town has evolved into a wonderfully welcoming, flat-out fun place to spend a weekend.

Consider adding outdoor recreation to the weekend plans as many activities are within two scenic hours of town. Since it is already a destination location, Walla Walla has many opportunities available at various price points for lodging, dining, and shopping.

Its historic downtown is easy on the eye, and its local cuisine is even better on the tummy. After a hike in the Umatilla National Forest, enjoy live music at any number of venues. Follow up a morning fly fishing lesson with some wine tasting.

You’ve made it this far; you might as well drink the juice. Burn a few calories on the bike ride? Freshly crafted desserts await.

Visiting Walla Walla has never been easier. Multiple daily flights from Seattle make the journey pretty accessible for folks making the trek from afar. It is also a scenic drive from all the surrounding larger cities (Seattle, Portland, Boise, and Spokane) and only takes a few hours.

Small towns, big adventures

Walla Walla is worth repeat visits. There is so much to do and see. It is a gateway city that leads to so many great finds. Heading up the mountain or winding through the wheat fields, there are numerous sweet little towns to stop and visit.

Though the goal is to find a great outdoor adventure, it really wouldn’t be a complete story without a few stops along the way.

Strike up a conversation with the locals—likely they have great tips on area places to visit: where the barn owl was last seen, the trail conditions, where the fishing honey hole is. Who are we kidding—no one is going to tell you their fishing spot.

Stick with the birders; they will talk.

Here are a few towns of interest, although by no means a complete list:

Dayton, Washington

Located just 40 miles northeast of Walla Walla, Dayton serves as the gateway to many outdoor adventures in the Blue Mountain region. The city’s now Main Street was reportedly once a Native American racetrack. In the late 1880s and early 1900s the fertile soil attracted settlers, and growing barley quickly led to numerous breweries and saloons.

This town’s edgy beginnings definitely have a story to tell, and many historic sites, including the oldest standing train depot in the state, offer tours and events throughout the year.

After you pick up a few pastries and the morning coffee at Moose Creek Cafe & Bakery or Locally Nourished, you are calorically ready to hit the trails. Many are accessed via the North Touchet Road, which is located on the east end of town. This is also the road to Ski Bluewood, the regional ski resort.

Another local spot providing access to one of three wilderness areas is just down Highway 12 past Dayton on Tucannon Road. Providing access to the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness Area, there are multiple places to camp, fish, and hike.

Once you’ve worn yourself out hiking the ridge-lines or maneuvering the current all day in hopes of catching the big one, don’t forget to stop by Blue Mountain Station, an artisan food center, to pick up local honey, homemade candy, have a bite to eat, or pick up some beans for the coffee pot when you get home, a reminder of how awesome your trip to southeast Washington was.

Waitsburg, Washington

Another small town rich with tradition and history is Waitsburg. Along the Lewis and Clark Trail, Waitsburg still enjoys the same railroad, newspaper, and Territorial Charter that it did when the city first began.

One community event that might be of interest to outdoor enthusiasts is Swim the Snake. An annual event held in August, Swim the Snake offers paddleboarders, kayakers, and swimmers the chance to cross the Snake River with plenty of support and encouragement.

Touchet River Levee Trail (Photo Credit: Steve Dildine)

Take a stroll along the Touchet River in historic Dayton, Washington. This path checks several boxes on anyone’s recreation wish list. It is family friendly, easy to access, near playgrounds, features art, and hugs the river. Another great perk of this path is that it connects to Main Street, so grab a bite and get shopping.

Visita Walla Walla

Milton-Freewater, Oregon

Heading south to explore more of the Umatilla National Forest or access Harris Park, visit Milton-Freewater, a sweet town with a big heart. Known locally for its abundance of orchards, this town takes advantage of its extremely fertile soil.

Whether it is peaches or cherries, or you-pick blueberries, or perhaps even apples turned into scrumptious cider, filling a picnic basket with fresh, healthy items is easy to do in this town.

Check out the farmers market on Wednesdays during the summer. There are a number of fruit stands in the area as well.

If you need a break from the mountains or decided you’ve hit your max number of switchbacks for the afternoon, check out Blue Mountain Cider and learn about the third-generation apple growers.

Your trip to Milton-Freewater would not be complete without a visit to Saager’s Shoe Shop. Their selection of shoes from work to play is exquisite. Keen, Chaco, Birkenstock—you name it; they have it.

Their small town charm and multi-generation business is refreshing. Quality and customer service is definitely a priority, and they even employ a cobbler to keep your favorite kicks kicking.

Pendleton, Oregon

Whether you want to experience the west, eat west-coast size steaks, or dress like a cowboy for a few days, Pendleton needs to be on the to-do list. Providing an excellent stop-over for visitors or a pit-stop for locals, Pendleton is also the gateway to travels further south into the Blue Mountain region.

Known for the Round-Up, Woolen Mills, and underground tour just to name a few attractions, Pendleton’s historic downtown, with the Umatilla River running through the heart of town, could derail any plans to get outside in a timely fashion.

Also of note, the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute celebrates the traditions of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla tribes and is an exceptional way to foster a deeper understanding of the region, both its people and the land.

Wallowa Mountains (Photo Credit: Gwen Dildine)

The Wallowa Mountains in the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area are the crown of the Blue Mountain region, with peaks reaching over 9,000 feet. If hiking that far isn’t in the travel plans, but you really want to see one of the best views in the country, consider taking a ride up the Wallowa Lake Tramway. You’ll gain 3,700 feet of elevation in roughly 15 minutes. Trails at the top of Mount Howard treat visitors to absolutely breathtaking views.

Visita Walla Walla

Drive to Joseph, Oregon or bust!

There are few better ways to enjoy two hours in the car than the drive to Joseph, Oregon. As part of the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, the landscape is simply remarkable. On the ascent through agricultural lands and sagebrush, the road enters the Umatilla National Forest and winds through the trees and eventually drops down into the town of Elgin.

Catch the Eagle Cap Train and choose between any number of uniquely themed rides starting in May and running through October. I would call it a once in a lifetime experience, but truly you will want to go again.

The road then descends into the canyon bottom and parallels the Minam River to its confluence with the Wallowa River. That spot, at Minam Store, is an excellent jumping off point for a majority of the river access in the area.

Continuing on to the town of Wallowa, the sense of remote and wild is increasingly enhanced. The Wallowa Mountains are to the south. At this point opportunities to check out a trail become more frequent.

Just a few miles down the road is the town of Lostine, and if more remote camping and hiking appeal to you, simply follow the Lostine River Road up into the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and enjoy the fast moving river and an evening or two under the stars. This well-maintained gravel road also offers access into the Eagle Cap Wilderness area via an intricate system of connecting trails.

The next two towns are the larger metropolises of the drive: Enterprise and Joseph. Both offer plenty of unique shopping opportunities as well as dining experiences sure to satisfy the calorie burn from a day in the mountains. One of Oregon’s 7 Wonders, this area is rich with history, enjoys a prolific art culture, and is home to the best cup of hot chocolate in the world.

There are so many ways for folks of all ages and abilities to engage with the natural world in the area. The Wallowa Lake Gondola, for example, is a thrilling way to summit Mt. Howard and hike a relatively easy loop or connect into a longer, more difficult trail system. Enjoy the lake thanks to moraines formed by glaciers and time on a paddleboard or kayak, or hang out and fish the kokanee and trout.

Our Towns

Like all the small towns noted, it is absolutely worth the longer travel time or extra day of vacation to support local restaurants, shops, museums, various attractions, and at the heart of it learn about a new place and the people who call it home.

As part of Outside Walla Walla’s mission to showcase outdoor recreation in the Blues, highlighting those who make it possible is also integral. If you are a local like myself who is constantly amazed by all our area has to offer, join me in finding these places.

If you have ventured from afar, please enjoy our special places. There are so many opportunities to get outside, and Outside Walla Walla can’t wait to show them to you.